One of the national publications asks local beat writers each winter to pick a potential "difference maker" for their respective teams. A guy who is new to the organization or coming off an injury or a down season. Last winter, I chose Nolan Reimold and noted how he got off to a sizzling start in 2012, batting .313/.333/.627 with six doubles, five homers and 10 RBIs in 16 games before a herniated disc in his neck led to surgery and the end of his season. The Orioles eventually turned to...

One week after giving veteran hitter Jack Cust a tryout at their mini-camp in Sarasota, the Orioles will take a look at veteran pitcher Brett Tomko in Southern California. Tomko's brother, Scott, reported the news, which has been passed along by a couple of national writers. The session will take place on Friday. Tomko is on the comeback trail. He's 40 and hasn't pitched in the majors since making eight relief appearances with the Rangers in 2011. He spent last year with the York...

Saturday is just a few days away, and it's officially the week of NatsFest! The event will be held at a new location this year, but Nationals fans can still expect to be treated to question-and-answer sessions with players, photo sessions with your favorite Nats, live demonstrations, games and more. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m., (season ticket holders get in an hour early at 10 a.m.,) the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center will host fans, manager Matt Williams and a variety of players,...

The Nationals already have a bullpen that features three relievers who have saved at least 32 games in a season. Could they be targeting one more? FOXsports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Nationals are "in the mix" for reliever Grant Balfour, the 36-year-old Australian who saved 38 games for the Athletics last season and has posted an ERA lower than 2.60 each of the last four years. Balfour was close to signing a two-year, $15 million deal with the Orioles earlier this...

While the Orioles continue their search for another starter, they're placing a lot of faith in new pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti. Last week's mini-camp was mostly set up to give Wallace and Chiti a head start at getting acquainted with their pitchers. They spent four days in Sarasota meeting individually with each one, then flew to California and sat down with a group that included Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Miguel Gonzalez and Brian Matusz. So far, the reviews...

Back in mid-December, Baseball America released its list of the top 10 prospects in the Orioles' farm system. Later this week, MLB.com will release its list of the sport's top 100 overall prospects. Baseball America's top 100 list will come out in February or March. The Orioles should get somewhere between three and five players on those lists. Four seems quite possible. For now let's take a look back at the top 10, I'll share the comments I made earlier on the player's rankings and...

John Lannan has now been a part of three big league organizations. All three reside in the National League East. Lannan signed a minor league deal with the Mets yesterday, the team announced. The deal includes an invitation to big league spring training. The Long Island native and former Nationals starter will now hope to land a spot in the Mets' starting rotation in spring training. Lannan went 3-6 with a 5.33 ERA in 14 starts with the Phillies last season, posting a 1.520 WHIP and a...

Outfielder Brian Goodwin sometimes was very consistent at the plate last season for Double-A Harrisburg, but also struggled at times with strikeouts. He averaged .252 for 122 games but struck out 121 times. He had 19 doubles, 11 triples, 10 homers and 19 stolen bases. He got off to a great start for Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .296, but still would love to cut down on the one strikeout per game average, with 22 punch outs in 19 in Arizona games. His combination of...

Unless something goes horribly wrong with my day, I intend to immerse myself in the NFL playoffs and a giant bowl of chili. I'll be sure to wear a snorkel. It's the third week in January, which is too soon to give an accurate projection of the 25-man roster on opening day. But why not? Starters Chris Tillman Wei-Yin Chen Miguel Gonzalez Bud Norris Relievers Tommy Hunter Darren O'Day Ryan Webb Alfredo Aceves Brian Matusz Outfielders Adam Jones Nick Markakis David Lough Nolan...

So what strategy will managers use with the new replay rules coming to the majors in 2014? Since the crew chiefs determine what plays should be reviewed from the seventh inning on, the managers will need to use their challenge in the first six innings. Should they use the challenge in the first inning, if needed, or wait for later in the game? Since a manager that challenges a play that gets changed gets a second challenge, I think managers will use their challenge early in the game if they...